Coyle: Sturridge talks can wait

Coyle: Sturridge talks can wait

Published Mar. 3, 2011 1:15 p.m. ET

Sturridge agreed to join Bolton on loan till the summer having found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Chelsea. And the 21-year-old striker has kick-started his career by scoring in each of his first four games for the Trotters. Coyle has admitted he would relish the opportunity to have Sturridge back at the Reebok next season but claims that prospect cannot be discussed just yet. "I think that conversation will be for the summer because there's a number of factors that have to be taken into account there," he told Sky Sports News. "I'm enjoying having Daniel at the football club at this moment, that's my focus between now and the end of the season - helping Daniel to realise all his potential, and by doing that he'll help Bolton Wanderers. "For me, it was always going to be a win-win situation. That Chelsea would get back a player who's had the opportunity to play week-in, week-out in the Premier League, a player who's flourished in doing that. "And I get a striker that's hungry and will score goals, and the football club benefits from that young and exciting player, as happened previously last year. "Arsenal, ourselves and Jack Wilshere all benefited from it, and that's how I saw that scenario again with Daniel." Wilshere impressed enough on loan at Bolton last season to be handed a run at Arsenal this term and the 19-year-old has taken full advantage, establishing himself in the Gunners' midfield while being rewarded with his England debut. And Coyle feels Sturridge has the potential to have the same impact, meaning Chelsea would rather keep him next season than let the former Manchester City trainee go out on loan again. "I think he is a natural footballer, first and foremost, and obviously a terrific goalscorer," added the Bolton boss "But he's more than that, for me. He's got pace, he has a trick, he's comfortable with both feet, and he's an exciting player. He receives the ball and you think 'you know what, something's going to happen'. "As a manager, that's great, and even as a football fan, that's the type of player I love watching because all of a sudden you get out of your seat and you think something special could happen. He's prepared to take people on. "He's just been a terrific acquisition for the football club but ultimately Daniel has to continue to keep moving forward. "He can't affect what he's done to this point. He has to keep the hunger for goals and be hungry to improve as a footballer because he'll know himself there are little bits and pieces he could get better at, and hopefully we can help him to achieve that goal."

ADVERTISEMENT
share